Course coordinator
Associate Professor Tiina Manne
Consultation is on Wednesday 9am-11amﾠor by appointment.
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Social Science School
Archaeological animal remains, such as bones, teeth and shells, are a powerful means for understanding past climate and environmental change, human impacts on past environments and shifts in human behaviour. They are analysed all over the world and understanding how to identify and analyse them is an important professional skill for professional archaeologists and cultural heritage managers. This course integrates technical aspects of faunal studies with theoretical and methodological issues in archaeology, including questions of faunal assemblage formation (taphonomy), human economics and ecology, the relationship between game use and technology, and the anthropology of human-animal relationships. Class work emphasises hands-on experience with faunal remains and will teach students how to identify animal (skeletal) remains from archaeological sites.
Zooarchaeology is the analysis of faunal remains from archaeological sites to understand past human–animal interaction related to hunting, domestication, trade, mobility, ritual and symbolic behaviour, anthropogenic impacts, extinction, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, and more. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the principles and methods employed by zooarchaeologists to address these topics. Labs and practicals offer hands-on experience working with animal remains. We will consider the history of the discipline, field and lab methodology, including quantitative approaches, anatomy, taxonomy, and the broader application of zooarchaeological data.
This course is taught in the first 8 weeks of semester. Online lectures will be made available on Blackboard. Six 4-hour face-to-face labs will take place during weeks 3-8. Assessment consists of lab quizzes and a laboratory journal.
Course requirements
Assumed background
ARCA1000 or ARCS1001; understanding of the basic principles and methods of archaeology
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
2 units from ARCA1000 or ARCS1001
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
ARCS3020
Course contact
School enquiries
Student Enquiries School of Social Science
Level 3, Michie Building (09), St Lucia campus, The University of Queensland.
Monday-Friday, 9:00am-12:00pm, 1:00pm-4:00pm.
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Please refer to My Timetable for the most up-to-date timetable information.
Aims and outcomes
Through a combination of lectures, readings, hands-on tutorials, and lab activities, students will become familiar with the principles, techniques, and theories of zooarchaeology. Emphasis is placed on acquiring skills and understanding in the areas of skeletal and taxonomic identification, quantification, analytic units, major methodological issues, applications of zooarchaeological data, and interpretive frameworks based on experience gained through practical learning applications and study of case examples.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Describe the general principles, methods, and theories of zooarchaeology.
LO2.
Apply the analytical and theoretical approaches commonly used in zooarchaeology to address research questions and understand human-animal interaction in the past.
LO3.
Demonstrate critical understanding of the major methodological issues in zooarchaeology and their impact on interpretation.
LO4.
Connect the broader significance of zooarchaeological data to major archaeological and transdisciplinary questions and their appropriate application in these contexts.
LO5.
Differentiate the remains of major taxonomic classes, identify major mammalian skeletal elements, as well as distinguish between marsupial, ungulate and human skeletal remains.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz |
In-class quizzes
|
60% |
25/03/2025 - 16/04/2025 |
| Notebook/ Logbook | Laboratory journal | 40% |
16/05/2025 2:00 pm |
Assessment details
In-class quizzes
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 60%
- Due date
25/03/2025 - 16/04/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Four in-class quizzes (1 hour each) will be conducted during laboratory time. Quizzes are timed assessments that require answering short answer/multiple choice questions and the identification of skeletal elements, naming of landmarks, and identification of modifications etc. They will test cumulative knowledge gained through the lectures, readings and practical sessions in the course. Course content from all weeks prior to the test may be included.
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
Use of AI: This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
This assessment task is to be completed in-person during the designated lab.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
The University recognises that on occasion a medical condition or other exceptional circumstances may impair your ability to attend an examination at the scheduled date and time. Depending on the circumstances, you may be eligible for a deferred examination, and be permitted to sit your in-class, mid-semester or end-of-semester examinations at a later scheduled time. For information on eligibility and application instructions, please view the following page on myUQ: Deferring an exam - my.UQ - University of Queensland
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Laboratory journal
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Notebook/ Logbook
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
16/05/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
This assessment is worth 40% of your total mark. You are required to submit 6 journal entries, with a maximum of 2500 words for your journal (approximately 400 words for each entry, although you might create shorter/longer entries depending on the lab). You should also include annotated drawings or photos of elements and different kinds of bone damage (taphonomy); annotations are not included in the word count.
Journal entries for weeks 3-8 should consist of a combination of:
- Summaries of lab work, including figures and tables, where appropriate
- Descriptions of how to differentiate different elements, landmarks or damage to the bone surface, with a special focus on any aspect you find tricky
- Notes on how lecture content and/or readings relate to lab content (lectures may be asynchronous to labs)
- Self reflection on your progress in the lab/course and any questions relating to that week that you intend to follow up with your lecturer or tutor
The journal entry for week 8 is required to address the questions provided in the worksheet, relating to the archaeological assemblage.
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
Use of AI: This assessment task evaluates student’s abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
You must submit your assignment electronically by the due time, on the due date.
Your assignment must be submitted via Turnitin on blackboard. To submit your assignment electronically log in to https://learn.uq.edu.au/ultra with your UQ username and password, then click on Course Code>>Assessment>>Assignments, and use the appropriate assignment submission link for each piece of assessment. No e-mailed submissions of assessments will be accepted.
Turnitin links will be configured to permit early submission of assessment items. Students will have the opportunity to submit draft assignments to Turnitin prior to submission of the final assignment in order to review similarity index content and to improve academic writing practice in accordance with UQ Academic Integrity policies.
By uploading your assignment via Turnitin, you are certifying that the work you submit is your own work except where correctly attributed to another source. Do not submit your assignment if it contains any work that is not your own. Please note that on the preview page, your assignment will be shown without formatting. Your assignment will retain formatting and your course coordinator/tutor will be able to see formatted assignments. Once you have submitted your assignment you are able to go back and view your submission with the correct formatting.
You are required to retain proof of submission of your assessment. Your Digital Receipt is available for download from your Assignment Dashboard. If you cannot see your submission and download your digital receipt, your assessment has not been successfully submitted; please submit again. If you are unable to submit your assignment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension through your student portal on my.UQ.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with Blackboard, please contact the ITS team via AskUs.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
You must submit a request for an extension as soon as it becomes clear you need an extension. Your request should be submitted no later than the assessment item's due date and time.
The request must be accompanied by supporting documentation corroborating the reason for the request. A list of acceptable reasons for an extension and the evidence you must provide can be found here. Your request may be refused if you do not meet the acceptable reasons for an extension. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic.
In the School of Social Science, extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) or an Extension Verification Letter (EVL) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ).
Extension requests exceeding the maximum extension period stated for a piece of assessment will only be considered under exceptional circumstances (circumstances outside of your control) with additional supporting documentation.
Late applications must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date and time. The School of Social Science will not accept personal statements.
Students may be asked to supply the work they have completed to date on the assessment piece. This is to establish what efforts have already been made to complete the assessment, and whether the proposed work plan is feasible. Extension requests are processed and managed by the School of Social Science Administration Team.
Extensions in your final semester of study could delay your graduation by up to one semester.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Work will not be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 1 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Unsatisfactory journal. Failure of quizzes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Fail - Little comprehension of course material, relevant sources, or examples. Little or no grasp of main interpretive approaches, their proponents and disciplinary context. Little or understanding of basicﾠ zooarchaeological methods, anatomical identification techniques, and their application |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Fail - Work falls short of satisfying the basic requirements for a grade of 4. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Some comprehension of course material, relevant sources, or examples. Some grasp of main interpretive approaches, their proponents and disciplinary context. Some understanding of basic zooarchaeological methods, anatomical identification techniques, and their application. Fair problem-solving ability and written communication skills. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Comprehension of the course material, relevant sources, or examples Good grasp of main interpretive approaches, their proponents and disciplinary context. Good understanding of basic zooarchaeological methods, anatomical identification techniques, and their application Good problem-solving ability and written communication skills. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Thorough comprehension of course material, sources, or examples Very good grasp of main interpretive approaches, their proponents and disciplinary context. Very good understanding of basic zooarchaeological methods, anatomical identification techniques, and their application. Very good problem-solving ability and communication skills. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 84 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Thorough & demonstrated comprehension of archaeological concepts, terminology, literature etc. Excellent grasp of main interpretive approaches, their proponents and disciplinary context. Excellent understanding of basic zooarchaeological methods, anatomical identification techniques, and their application. Excellent archaeological problem-solving ability. Excellent written and oral communication skills. |
Additional course grading information
Final Grade:ﾠThe final grade is determined by adding together the sum of all individual assessment tasks. Grades are calculated based on the marks received.ﾠ
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Supplementary assessment is an additional opportunity to demonstrate that the learning requirements for an eligible course have been satisfied and that the graduate attributes for the course have been attained. Supplementary assessment may only be granted where Supplementary Assessment – procedures allow. A passing grade of 4 (or P) is the highest grade that can be awarded in a course where supplementary assessment has been granted. For further information on supplementary assessment please see my.UQ.
Additional assessment information
Academic Integrity: All students must complete the Academic Integrity Modules https://www.uq.edu.au/integrity/
UQ Assignment Writing Guide: Steps for writing assignments - my.UQ - University of Queensland
Release of Marks: The marks and feedback for assessments will be released to students in a timely manner, prior to the due date of the next assessment piece for the course. This is with the exception of the final piece of assessment. The marks and feedback for the final assessment item will only be made available to the student on the Finalisation of Grades date at the end of semester.
Assessment Re-mark: For information on requesting an assessment re-mark, please view the following page on my.UQ: https://my.uq.edu.au/querying-result
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Professional Groups and Networking
- International Council for Archaeozoology – ICAZ
- ICAZ Working Groups
- Zooarch Listserve
- BoneCommons
- ZooBook - Zooarchaeology Social Network
Online Databases, Identification Aids & Communities
For Australia:
- Ozboneviz 3D bone reference collection of Australian and Papua New Guinea native and domestic fauna, including comparisons of key skeletal elements
- Fishboneviz 3D fish bone reference collection of Australian and Pacific taxa.
- Animal bones in Australian archaeology: A field guide to common native and introduced species
- The University of Sydney Fish Library
- Atlas of Living Australia
Elsewhere
- Animal Bone Metrical Archive
- Animal Diversity Web
- Arch￩ozoo: Site Collaboratif d’Arch￩ozoologie
- Bone building books
- Digital Morphology
- ebook of The Vertebrate Skeleton by Reynold (1897) – wonderful illustrations of major taxonomic classes
- The eSkeleton Project (primates and humans)
- FaunAZ: Arizona's Archaeofaunal Index
- Inner body - 3D human skeleton
- INPN- Reference Centre for Nature and Biodiversity in France
- tDAR (the Digital Archaeological Record)
- The Integrated Taxonomic Information System
- Knochenarbeit
- The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Atlantic - FAO Fisheries Guide (marine vertebrate and invertebrate ID guide)
- The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific - FAO Fisheries Guide (marine vertebrate and invertebrate ID guide)
- Medieval Animal Data-Network
- Mollusca Types Catalog, National Museum Wales
- Open Context (archaeological data publication)
- The Paleobiology Database
- Sclerochronology Listserve
- Using this link, email the listserv and request to be added to the group by providing your university email address in the body of the message
- The Skull Site (bird skulls)
- Tanzanian Mammal Key (skulls and skins)
- Virtual Zooarchaeology of the Arctic Project
- Will's Skull Page
Journals
- International Journal of Osteoarchaeology (primarily human and vertebrate fauna)
- Archaeofauna (European, multi-language)
- Environmental Archaeology
- Ethnobiology Letters
- Journal of Ethnobiology
- Journal of Archaeological Science
- Journal of Archaeological Science Reports
- Archaeology in Oceania
- Australian Archaeology
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Lecture |
Zooarchaeology Introduction (1-hour) Introduction; history of zooarchaeology and zooarchaeology in Australia; taxonomy; Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Lecture |
Taphonomy (1-hour) Faunal assemblage formation processes; taphonomic versus behavioural causes; differential survivorship Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Lecture |
Skeletal tissues & data quality (1-hour) Skeletal tissues; functional and comparative anatomy; data quality Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Lecture |
Primary and secondary data (1-hour) Introduction to primary and secondary analysis and major approaches to quantification; NISP, MNI, MNE, MAU; basic statistics Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Lecture |
Ageing and sexing (1-hour) First hour; ageing and sexing; mortality profiles; quantitative methods in evaluating change in subsistence. Second hour: lab journal session Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Lecture |
Reconstructing subsistence 1 (1-hour) Applying ageing and sexing data quantitatively to evaluate subsistence change: mortality profiles, richness, diversity and evenness. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
|
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Lecture |
Reconstructing subsistence 2 (90 minutes) Theoretical models for reconstructing subsistence change; foraging ecology, diet breadth, patch choice; Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Practical |
Introduction to comparative vertebrate anatomy and taphonomy Introduction to faunal analysis; differentiation at class taxonomic level; special features Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Lecture |
Palaeoenvironmental reconstruction (90 minutes) Use of vertebrate fauna to reconstruct past climates and environments including through isotopic analysis. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Practical |
1) Quiz 1; 2) Cranium, mandible and teeth Quiz 1 (first hour); followed by hands-on practice with element identification (second hour) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L05 |
|
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Lecture |
Hunting and Domestication (90 minutes) 1st hour: Pathways to domestication; skeletal traits and methods for evaluating domestication; 2nd hour: lab journal session Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Practical |
1) Quiz 2; 2) Forelimb and axial elements Quiz 2; Mammal anatomy and hands-on practice with element identification Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L05 |
|
Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Lecture |
Social Relationships (90 minutes) First hour: animals in human social and ritual practice, trade, status-mediated consumption. Second hour: lab journal session Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Practical |
1) Quiz 3; 2) Hindlimb and revision of week 3, 4 and 5. Quiz 3 ; Mammal anatomy and hands-on practice. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L05 |
|
Week 8 (14 Apr - 20 Apr) |
Lecture |
Invertebrate zooarchaeology (90 minutes) The utility of molluscs in reconstructing past environments and subsistence economies Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Practical |
1) Quiz 4; 2) Malacology; analysis of an archaeological assemblage Quiz 4; introduction to malacology; analysis of an archaeological assemblage Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Lecture |
Looking ahead in Zooarchaeology (30 mins) |
Practical |
Analysis of an archaeological assemblage Analysis of an archaeological faunal assemblage. Data collected will go towards answering questions for lab journal entry. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.